Additional Educational or Training Options
The transition from military to civilian life is an excellent time to take a serious look at
your options for future success. Now is the best time to evaluate your educational
options.
Guidance Counseling
After you return home, take some time to evaluate your education goals. Contact a
military installation Education Center nearest to where you live (by phone or e-mail for those that
do not live near a military installation), Navy College Office, or Marine Corps LifeLong Learning
Center. The counselors can provide assistance in determining the goals that are right for
you. If you feel you need additional education or training, an Education Counselor can help
guide you to the appropriate curriculum and institution, and help you with the paperwork necessary
to enroll in an academic or vocational program. You can also contact the VA Regional Office
for education assistance. With today's technology, you do not have to live near a military
installation to get help. Assistance is just a phone call or e-mail away.
Career Assessment
If you are not sure what you want to do upon leaving the military, then you should talk to a
counselor at your VA Regional Office, closest Education Center, Navy College Office, Marine Corps
LifeLong Learning Center or Transition Office. Counselors at these various locations can
recommend aptitude tests or vocational interest inventories to help clarify your career
goals. These tests can help you pinpoint job skills in which you might excel and then relate
them to specific occupations and careers in the civilian world. You can also contact the
closest Department of Labor Career One Stop Center for assistance in getting a skill
assessment. It's also a valuable tool that can help you develop your education or training
career goals.
Some of the assessment instruments available through an installation’s Education Center, Navy
College Office, or Marine Corps LifeLong Learning Center are the Strong Interest Inventory,
Self-Directed Search, or Career Assessment Inventory, as well as computerized counseling systems
like Discover. These can help you select jobs and careers that more closely match your
personality, background, and career goals. Again, don't forget to check with the Career One
Stop Center to find out about the various skills assessment instruments they have
available. Visit Career One Stop at
http://www.careeronestop.org/ to learn
more.
Academic Planning
Once you have identified your career goal, you may find you need a formal education to achieve
it. An Education Counselor can explore the possibilities with you. Counselors can also
advise you on non-traditional educational opportunities that can make it easier for you to get a
diploma, vocational certificate or college degree. These non-traditional opportunities include
the following:
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Take “challenge exams,” such as a college-level equivalency exam: You can convert
knowledge learned outside the classroom into credits toward a college program. This can save
you time and money.
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Go to school part time while continuing to hold down a full-time job: This
approach might make adult education more practical.
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See the veterans’ coordinator at the college, university or vocational school of your
choice: The coordinator can help you understand your VA educational benefits and might
lead you to special programs offered to former service members.
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Determine if your military learning experiences can translate to course
credit: Check with your Unit Education Officer or an active duty military
installation Education Center, Navy College Office or Marine Corps LifeLong Learning Center for
assistance. You can do this after your release from active duty. You can also go online
and get a copy of your DD Form 2586, “Verification of Military Experience and Training” (VMET)
document at
https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/vmet/index.jsp.
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Take advantage of distance learning opportunities: With today’s technological
advances, you can enroll in an educational program in which courses are offered by accredited
educational institutions in a variety of formats, i.e., CD-ROM, the Internet, satellite TV, cable
TV, and video tapes.
Vocational Services
You can also learn about various vocational services available through a military Education
Center, Navy College Office or Marine Corps LifeLong Learning Center, as well through the VA
Regional Office. Counselors are available to help you understand the many vocational and
technical school programs. The counselors at these centers can also show you how to get course
credits for non-traditional learning experience (such as military certifications and on-the-job
training).
The counselors may also help you find out about certification and licensing requirements – for
example, how to get a journeyman card for a particular trade. The counselors can give you
information on vocational and apprenticeship programs.
Note: Local trade unions may also offer vocational training in fields that
interest you.
Licensing and Certification
Your military occupational specialty may require a license or certification in the civilian
workforce. There are several resources available to assist you in finding civilian
requirements for licensing and certification:
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http://www.acinet.org: Department of Labor
website. Go to “Career Tools” section to look up licenses by state, requirements for the
license, and point-of-contact information for the state licensing board.
-
http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/danteshome.asp:
DANTES website has information on certification programs.
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https://www.cool.army.mil/: Find civilian
credentials related to your military occupational specialty, learn what it takes to obtain the
credentials, and see if there are available programs that will help pay credentialing fees.
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https://www.cool.navy.mil/: Find civilian
credentials related to your Navy rating, learn what it takes to obtain the credentials, and see if
there are available programs that will help pay credentialing fees.
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htttp://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/certifications.asp:
is a valuable resource for Air Force personnel in increasing awareness of professional development
opportunities applicable to USAF occupational specialties, crosswalks to CCAF degree programs,
national professional certifications, certification agencies, and more.
Date Last Reviewed: September 28, 2011